Creek To Take New Look At Center

COCONUT CREEK — A second revised plan of the proposed $5.6 million government center -- changed to help cut construction costs -- is to be reviewed Thursday by the City Council.

A dozen construction bids opened last Thursday were tossed out because they exceeded the city`s budget for the center, which is to be built on 24 acres at the southwest corner of Lyons and Copans roads.

Dawson Construction Co. in Fort Lauderdale submitted the lowest bid of $7.3 million for a 620,000-square-foot, one-story center.

The architectural plans are to be reviewed and design changes will be made to reduce building costs, said City Manager Dennis Mele.

Construction, which was expected to begin in early March, will be delayed about 60 days, Mele said. Once construction starts, the building is to be complete in about 18 months, he said.

Administrative offices are now housed in a portable building that once served as sales offices for the developer of the South Creek area.

Offices are cramped, parking spaces are at a premium and the City Council meets in the Township Center.

``Anyone who comes into this building can see for themselves why we have to move,`` Mele said. ``It`s just not a good way to do business.``

Original plans for a government center, which would have included a city hall and Public Works and Public Safety Department buildings, was estimated to cost $9 million. But those building designs were reduced by a total of 18,000 square feet to cut costs, Mele said.

Now the design will have to be changed again because of the high bids. Once the changes are made, city officials plan to advertise construction bids again.

The low bid of $7.3 million did not include a Public Works Department building, Mele said. The current Public Safety Department could be used as a Public Works area, he said.

The design plans for the building now include partitions instead of numerous office walls, Mele said.

``It gives you more flexibility in your departments as you move and grow,`` he said.

The building is to be concrete and the roof is to be a combination copper and metal alloy, he said.